Kelly Rowland showed her maternal side in a first look photo from her guest starring role on Fox’s “Empire.”
The former Destiny’s Child singer plays Lucious Lyon’s (Terence Howard) mother Leah in flashback scenes from the Season 2 premiere of the Fox hip-hop hit.
In the touching image, which was first posted by TV Insider, Rowland comforts the child who will grow up to run Empire Entertainment with estranged wife Cookie, played by Taraji P. Henson.
Former “The X Factor” judge Rowland isn’t the only new addition to “Empire.” Marisa Tomei has also signed on for a recurring role on the series to play venture capitalist Mimi Whiteman, who becomes involved in the Lyon family’s affairs.
Chris Rock and Lenny Kravitz have also booked guest roles on the show for its second run.
In addition to her singing career, Rowland”s acting credits include “Think Like a Man,” “Girlfriends”and “American Dreams.”
In its first season, “Empire’s” ratings exploded right out of the gate. The show drew an average of 16.7 million viewers for its two-hour Season 1 finale in March, and scored a whopping 6.5 rating/20 share in the advertiser-sought 18-49 demographic.
“Empire” returns Sept. 23 at 9 p.m. on Fox.